SINGAPORE, May 31 -- Malaysia is doubtful it will recover nearly RM543 million already paid to Norway for anti-ship missiles and has delivered a veiled warning that the cancellation could harm their long-standing bilateral relationship.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin raised the issue during a bilateral meeting with his Norwegian counterpart on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue here today, Bernama reported.

"We have honestly and clearly expressed our disappointment because a long, close and good relationship has existed between Norway and Malaysia (yet) through this NSM cancellation episode," he was quoted as saying.

The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system was procured from Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace in 2018...